Ever wondered what books end up on royal bedside tables around the world? I certainly have. We often hear about the public lives of kings, queens, princes and princesses – the ceremonies, the speeches, the charity work – but their reading habits give us a much more personal glimpse into who they are.
And the good news for book lovers is that many royals are just as passionate about reading as we are. From classic literature to gripping thrillers and cultural histories, their bookshelves are surprisingly varied.
So, let’s take a little literary tour and see what some of the world’s royal families like to read.
United Kingdom
The Princess of Wales
Catherine, Princess of Wales, has been spotted more than once browsing the shelves of her local Waterstones. Like many parents, a lot of those visits are to pick out books for her children, Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis, but she clearly enjoys choosing something for herself as well.
She’s known to love the classics, particularly authors like Jane Austen, Charles Dickens and Oscar Wilde. But her reading tastes aren’t limited to the nineteenth century. She’s also enjoyed a number of modern novels and family favourites, including:
– The Girl on the Train by Paula Hawkins
– The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society by Mary Ann Shaffer and Annie Barrows
– When God Was a Rabbit by Sarah Winman
– The Owl Who Was Afraid of the Dark by Jill Tomlinson
It’s quite a mix – from psychological thrillers to charming children’s classics – which feels very relatable for anyone whose reading list jumps between genres.
The Late Queen Elizabeth II
Queen Elizabeth II was known to be a devoted reader throughout her life. Her tastes leaned strongly toward detective stories, classic novels and anything involving horses (which probably won’t surprise anyone who followed her lifelong love of riding). Some of the books said to be among her favourites include:
– Moorland Mousie by Golden Macdonald
– Swallows and Amazons by Arthur Ransome
– All Creatures Great and Small by James Herriot
These are the kinds of books that feel warm, comforting and full of character – exactly the sort of stories you might imagine returning to again and again.
Princess Anne
Princess Anne’s reading tastes reflect her famously practical and independent personality. She has often shown a preference for classic girls’ stories with strong female characters, as well as biographies that explore the lives of remarkable historical figures.
She has enjoyed works by authors such as Katherine L. Oldmeadow and Margaret George, alongside biographies about influential figures like Queen Elizabeth I.
Europe
Belgium
Queen Mathilde of Belgium tends to favour thoughtful fiction and serious non-fiction, particularly books that explore history, culture and society. Some titles connected with the Belgian royal family include:
– The Burgundians by Bart Van Loo
– A Celebration of the Everyday by Colette Nys-Mazure
– Those Who Forget by Géraldine Schwarz
– The Coburgs of Belgium by Theo Aronson
– The Abyss by Marguerite Yourcenar
These choices lean toward reflective, historical and philosophical reading – perfect for readers who enjoy books that make you stop and think.
Denmark
King Frederik X has shown a personal interest in books about history, religion and monarchy, and he has even written books himself on similar themes.
More broadly, the Danish royal family are said to enjoy classic literature and historical works that explore Danish culture and heritage – stories that connect closely with the country’s identity.
The Netherlands
The Dutch royal family are known to have wide-ranging literary interests, spanning history, fiction, poetry and biographies.
King Willem-Alexander has a strong interest in Dutch history and has reportedly read books such as:
– In Europe by Geert Mak
– The Assault by Harry Mulisch
Queen Máxima, meanwhile, has a particular love of poetry, often reading in Dutch, English and Spanish. She’s drawn to works that explore different cultures and personal experiences.
Across the rest of the family, interests include art history, classical literature, biographies and war history – quite the varied royal library.
Norway
Norway’s royal family often gravitates toward literature that celebrates the country’s history, culture and literary heritage. Some well-known titles associated with Norwegian reading culture include:
– Kristin Lavransdatter by Sigrid Undset
– Heimskringla: The Lives of the Norse Kings by Snorri Sturluson
– The Great Survivors: How Monarchy Made It into the Twenty-First Century by David Willetts
– Beatles by Lars Saabye Christensen
– Growth of the Soil by Knut Hamsun
These books reflect everything from medieval history to modern Norwegian storytelling.
Spain
Queen Letizia of Spain is widely known as a true book lover. She’s frequently seen at the Madrid Book Fair and has spoken openly about her love of reading.
Her tastes are wonderfully broad, spanning contemporary fiction, essays, poetry and women’s writing. King Felipe VI tends to favour historical and literary works, particularly classical Spanish literature.
Among the English-language books associated with their reading lists are:
– Buchmendel by Stefan Zweig
– On Monsters and Logic by G.K. Chesterton
– Fantastic Fables by Ambrose Bierce
And among their Spanish favourites:
– Memoria de la melancolía (Memory of Melancholy) by María Teresa León
– El doncel de don Enrique el doliente by Mariano José de Larra
– Alcaravea (Caraway) by Irene Reyes-Noguerol
Sweden
The Swedish royal family places a strong emphasis on education, culture and national heritage, so it’s no surprise that Swedish literature features prominently in their reading. Popular titles include:
– Pippi Longstocking by Astrid Lindgren
– Tove Jansson’s beloved Moomin series
– A History of the Swedish People by Vilhelm Moberg
Modern Swedish authors such as Stieg Larsson, Henning Mankell and Jonas Jonasson are also widely admired.
Asia
When we think about royal families, our minds often jump straight to Europe. But several Asian countries also have long-standing royal traditions, and literature plays an important cultural role there as well.
Japan
The Japanese Imperial Family is known for its appreciation of history, literature and science. Among the most celebrated works in Japanese literary history is The Tale of Genji, written by Murasaki Shikibu in the 11th century and often considered the world’s first novel. Other classic texts associated with Japanese literary culture include:
– The Pillow Book by Sei Shōnagon
– Works by novelist Natsume Sōseki
Members of the Imperial Family are also known to take an interest in books on history, biology and international relations.
Thailand
The Thai royal family has long supported education, literacy and cultural development through various projects. While their personal reading choices tend to remain private, literature connected with Thai culture often includes works on psychology, Buddhist teachings (Dharma) and practical self-development.
Bhutan
King Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck of Bhutan has shown an interest in books that reflect Bhutanese culture, philosophy and national identity. Some titles associated with Bhutan’s literary landscape include:
– Sophie’s World by Jostein Gaarder
– Treasures of the Thunder Dragon by Ashi Dorji Wangmo Wangchuck
– The History of Bhutan by Karma Phuntsho
– Folktales of Bhutan by Kunzang Choden
– The Raven Crown by Michael Aris
These works combine storytelling, philosophy and history – a reflection of Bhutan’s rich cultural heritage.
Final Thoughts
Looking at what the world’s royal families read is surprisingly fascinating. Despite their very different roles and cultures, many of them share the same love of stories that the rest of us do.
Some prefer classics, others enjoy contemporary fiction, and many are drawn to books that explore history, culture and identity. But at the heart of it all is the same simple truth: books connect people, no matter who they are.
And who knows, the next book you pick up might just be sitting on a royal reading list somewhere too.
Books By Your Bedside 